Message from our President

What Is a Community Bank?

Do you know what a community bank is? By regulatory definition it is defined by size of assets, so if the bank is less than $10 billion in assets it is considered small and thus becomes a community bank. To us that definition rings hollow because community banking means making a difference in the community you serve.

We are different in the way we measure our success. Our mission is to take care of our community, which includes our customers and our employees. We find that when we focus on this mission and not strictly financial goals, the economic pieces of running a business take care of themselves. In short, Community First Bank believes that if we take care of the community, the community will take care of us.

In fact, on January 1, 2008, the bank name was changed to Community First Bank of the Heartland. Sometimes names do matter, and our name reflects this core value and the mission of our bank……Community First.

So how do we make a difference? Our employees serve the community by volunteering in their churches, United Way, Jefferson County Development Corporation, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Development, Prayer Breakfast Committee, YMCA, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Boy Scouts, Rend Lake College, Youth and Government, Rotary – Noon and West, Cedarhurst for the Arts, CASA, Junior Women's Club, Delta Theta Tau, LifeBoat Alliance, United Methodist Children's Home, Village of Ina, Woodlawn Gold Rush Days Committee, Fall Festival Committee, Special Olympics, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and others.

I believe community banking is different: local decisions, local ownership, and a commitment to where you work and live. We are not like large corporate banks but are in fact your neighbors and friends helping our community by working to make it a better place to live.

I know that you have many choices when choosing a bank, and we are honored that you have chosen us. So let me just say "Thank You".

Please stop in, log in, or call us with any concerns or comments about how we can make our bank better for you.